Summer Survival for Your Home Based Business – Part 2: How to Get Stuff Done When the Kids are at Home

In Part 1 of our series, we talked about having a plan and getting started as soon as you can prepping your business for the summer ahead. Now that you have scheduled, automated and planned out the summer months, when you do actually have to work, how the heck do you get stuff done when your kids are home?

Again, it goes back to having a plan. Come summertime, make it a habit to map out your week. For example, every Sunday night plan for the week ahead. Be sure to schedule both work and play time. Planning out your calendar a week in advance let’s your kids know what is going to happen that day. Post your calendar somewhere visible for everyone to see like your fridge door. But also be flexible. Know that it won’t always go according to plan. You may need to schedule different chunks of the day of varying times to work.

How to Manage Mommy Work Time

With younger kids, set up an activity centre in your office so they can be with you. Colouring books, paper, markers, crayons and stickers are great for entertaining toddlers. Or set up your desk with an extra chair and space for your child to “work” along with you. This might be a good time for them to check out some learning sites that offer lots of activities to explore. Click here for a great resource on the 10 Best Educational Websites for Kids (that are free!).

For older children, help them plan their own downtime when you are working. Prepare a list of activities your kids can do while you work. Let them pick what they want to do.

Create your own “Summer Fun” binder together with your kids. This is where Pinterest can be a huge help! Lots of great ideas for “quiet time” activities. Create a Summertime Activities Board and pin ideas to add to your binder.

You also may have to arrange some childcare for the summer. Hire a neighbor’s older child to watch your kids while you work from home. Or swap child care with another mom a couple of afternoons a week.

For older kids, schedule play dates – these are great! Also look into registering for summer camps. Calgary has tons to pick from.

Consider squeezing in some work time when you kids are sleeping. Are you an early bird or night owl? Use your peak productivity time to power through tasks.

Also, take advantage of nap time! Concentrate on the things that need to get done. Not house stuff.

Be sure to establish boundaries when mom is working so your kids know you are not available. For younger kids, set a timer so they know when you will be free. You may need to block off smaller chunks of time for little ones.

For calls, let your clients know that your children are home and may interrupt. Most will understand.

Summer is short so be sure to plan fun days too – no work!

Pssst….stay tuned next week for Part 3 of our Home Based Business Summer Survival Series: How to Work Efficiently in a Short Amount of Time

By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use, found here: http://www.entrepreneurmomnow.com/privacy-policy/

About Entrepreneur Mom Now

Entrepreneur Mom Now is a digital community of passionate hardworking women entrepreneurs who won't compromise on their dream to balance fulfilling careers and family life. We connect women with a community of others and resources, to lift women up to a place of balance, happiness and success on their terms. We offer free articles and a thriving digital community on Facebook.

Meet Our Brand Partners & Preferred Suppliers

We Bring Women Together

Why? We believe it is our responsibility to lead a movement to change the way women feel about their work and family life. We are taught to think we can't have it all and that having children demands compromise. We don't believe that. We want to lead a movement of women that sets success on their own terms. And finds in entrepreneurship the hustle and fulfillment of creating a happy, balanced, profitable life.

Join Our Free Facebook Group

Want to be part of our free community, before committing to our membership. Join us in our open Facebook group for all women entrepreneurs.